MASTACEMBELUS. 



541 



1. MASTACEMBELUS VICTORIA. 



Boulenger, Ann. & Mag. K H. (7) xii. 1903, p. 218. 



Depth of body eleven to fourteen times in the total length, length of head (without 

 rostral appendage) seven and a half to nine times. Vent nearly equally distant from 

 the end of the snout and from the base of the caudal fin ; length of head three to three 

 and a half times in its distance from the vent and about three times as great as its 

 distance from the first dorsal spine. Snout three to four times as long as the eye, 

 ending in a trifid appendage which is as long as or longer than the eye ; cleft of the 

 mouth extending to below the nostril ; no prseorbital or praeopercular spines. Vertical 

 fins united with the rounded caudal. Dorsal fin with 32 to 35 spines and about 

 100 soft rays ; last spine nearly one-fourth the length of the head. Anal fin with 

 2 spines and about 100 soft rays. Scales very small, about 20 between the origin of 

 the soft dorsal fin and the lateral line. 



Fig. 40. 



Mastacembelus victoria?. I nat. size. 



Dark brown above, yellowish beneath, sides with small light spots ; head pale brown, 

 spotted or marbled with darker and with a wavy dark lateral band, passing through 

 the eye ; a series of large, round, dark brown spots may be present along the lower 

 edge of the caudal region ; dorsal and anal fins with black spots ; pectoral fin uniform 

 white or with small black spots. 



This species is known only from Lake Victoria. It was described from two 

 specimens in Col. Delme Radcliffe's collection. Four specimens were obtained at 

 Bunjako (5-14.11.05) and one at Buganga (15.11.05) by Mr. E. Degen. I have also 

 examined a young specimen purchased by the British Museum from Mr. Baxter in 



